Hunter Shoots Deer at Wal-Mart Parking Lot, Charged With Endangerment

After shooting a 10-point buck in a Wal-Mart parking lot, a Pennsylvania hunter faces a reckless endangerment charge – in addition to being in a heap of trouble with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The afternoon incident occurred at at the Burrell Township Wal-Mart, about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Arcangelo Bianco Jr., 40, was reportedly driving when he saw the buck running across the Wal-Mart parking lot. Bianco pulled over and using his handgun fired multiple shots at the animal, killing it, the Indiana Gazette reported.

"Obviously, we can’t have someone running through a Wal-Mart parking lot shooting at a deer," said Jack Lucas, the wildlife conservation officer who investigated the incident.

In his report, Lucas writes that Bianco hopped out of the truck with gun in hand as the deer ran around a corner of the store and "began firing multiple rounds at the deer."

"The defendant pursued the deer through the parking lot and across Old William Penn Highway, where he killed the deer. The defendant then loaded the deer into his vehicle and took it to a meat processor for butchering," Lucas said.

The conservation officer refused to provide further information on the case, including how many shots Bianco fired at the animal before killing it, adding only that "it was the nicest buck I’ve seen taken in Indiana County in a couple of years."

Surveillance footage from the scene has also been collected, which Lucas says will substantiate his complaint against Bianco.

Bianco's attorney refused to comment on the case which is scheduled for a preliminary on May 1.

Bianco has been charged with a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment a well as five summary offenses – all hunting law violations, including hunting without a license, shooting on or across highways and unlawful killing or taking of big game.

Bianco wasn't charged with hunting out of season, considering the incident occurred on Nov. 26, the first day of antlered deer season with regular firearms.